Boating in fort lauderdale

I recently made a decision to store my boat in Fort Lauderdale because it is such a great place to boat. My wife and I plan on flying in and stay on the boat from time to time and would like to know if there is anyone out there that knows of fun things in the area or anything they have done that may be something we might like to try.

I have already gone to Miami and stayed at the Miami beach Marina. That was fun but the Marina docking charge is over priced. We thought about going even farther south but was a little nervous about the many hazards that exist in the Keys. We turned back north at No Name Marina. I guess the next trip we may try to go further. Bimini was also on our list but lack of knowledge of the trip kept us from taking the plunge. The 280 sundancer is a great boat but I wondered if it was OK for the trip to Bimini. Any thoughts?

Hi,
Lauderdale is a great place to base the boat. Consider buying a guide book for the south Florida area. There is so much to do.
I think your 28 is fine for a trip to Bimini. I stop there on my way to Miami with my 34 from Freeport. The trick with a Bimini - Miami run is the weather. Only go if the wind is under 12Kts and from the South. Do not go if it is from the North. Northerlys cause the Gulf Stream to build up big waves and it can get very very rough. On a nice day you can get to Bimini from Miami in about 2 - 2.5 hours. Cross the Gulf Stream at a 90 degree angle. That makes it easiest.
Enjoy!

BahamasBlair said:

Hi,
Lauderdale is a great place to base the boat. Consider buying a guide book for the south Florida area. There is so much to do.
I think your 28 is fine for a trip to Bimini. I stop there on my way to Miami with my 34 from Freeport. The trick with a Bimini - Miami run is the weather. Only go if the wind is under 12Kts and from the South. Do not go if it is from the North. Northerlys cause the Gulf Stream to build up big waves and it can get very very rough. On a nice day you can get to Bimini from Miami in about 2 - 2.5 hours. Cross the Gulf Stream at a 90 degree angle. That makes it easiest.
Enjoy!

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Where do you stay while in Bimini and is fuel available?

Bimini Big Game just re-opened after being closed for a few a while. Heading there on July8th. No problem getting fuel - gas & diesel. Have also stayed at the Bimini Bay - very nice too!

Several posts in the Southeast section of this forum about trips planned and trips made to Bimini. A wealth of info.

Jack

Just back from a trip to Bimini. As someone has already said: pick your weather. Going over was about 5-7 with 8 & 10 footers thrown in for fun. It was a rough slow trip. Coming back was 2-4 with a following sea, a piece of cake.

Your boat would do fine in good weather. You may want to consider going with others for the first trip or maybe joining one of the Bahamas Flings. Experience counts for a lot.

Ray

jpsand said:

I recently made a decision to store my boat in Fort Lauderdale because it is such a great place to boat. My wife and I plan on flying in and stay on the boat from time to time and would like to know if there is anyone out there that knows of fun things in the area or anything they have done that may be something we might like to try.

I have already gone to Miami and stayed at the Miami beach Marina. That was fun but the Marina docking charge is over priced. We thought about going even farther south but was a little nervous about the many hazards that exist in the Keys. We turned back north at No Name Marina. I guess the next trip we may try to go further. Bimini was also on our list but lack of knowledge of the trip kept us from taking the plunge. The 280 sundancer is a great boat but I wondered if it was OK for the trip to Bimini. Any thoughts?

Click to expand...

Get a quote from your insurance agent before you make any permanent plans.

Like Rick said... If I wasn't north of SC by June, my insurance would have quadrupled.